A College Student's Dream Notebook
Written: Sep 04 '03 (Updated Sep 17 '03)
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Pros: LCD, CD/DVD playback buttons, fast processor, 512MB RAM, stereo speakers, TOSHIBA
Cons: Weight, battery life
The Bottom Line: If you are a starving college student who needs the portability of a notebook and features of a fast desktop for less than $1500, the Toshiba A25-S207 IS for you.
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| LTOrivia's Full Review: Toshiba Satellite A25-S207 PSA20U-02HKLV PC Notebo... |
I am a college student who was searching for a desktop replacement on a limited budget. I have worked on desktops all my life and the idea of a notebook, usually less powerful, less features and more expensive than a desktop, gave me mixed feelings. However, the Toshiba Satellite A25-S207 was a dream come true. Its price also caught my eyes.
For only $1399.99 before the $150 rebates (Yes!), this notebook has features that will rival Dell and Compaq. Here are the specifications:
- DESKTOP 2.66GHz Pentium 4 processor
- STANDARD 512MB RAM memory (most companies charge ridiculous pricing on memory upgrades from 256. It is also upgradeable to 2068MB.)
- 15 inch XGA TFT (1024 x 728 resolution - PERFECT!)
- Integrated 802.11b wireless LAN
- 40GB HDD (to store documents and audio/visual files)
- THREE USB 2.0 ports
- 32MB graphics card memory (I am not a gamer.)
- CD/DVD playback buttons on the lid (great feature for audiophiles) with fantastic sound stereo speakers
- Ethernet (10/100), V.92 telephone ports
- Parallel, Video Out ports
- PCMCIA, SD slots
- Kensington lock (to lock the notebook)
- WIN XP HOME OS pre-installed (other software like AOL, Acrobat, CD Creator, etc. installed too)
- AC Adapter and extra telephone cord to access the WWW
All of this for less than $1400? Not $2000 or over? Correct. This is the college student's dream notebook. It has everything a student on a severe budget needs to meet the university IT requirements at a decent price. This will also survive technology changes. The blue/black cover is a cool, neutral design. This computer IS cheaper, sturdier and prettier than Dell, folks.
The only weaknesses I have with this notebook is that it weighs 7.9lbs, which makes it a true desktop replacement. It is not your ultraportable but it is still manageable to carry. It is not bulky. Battery life is only around 3 hours, so carry your adapter at all cost for emergencies. Performance is where this Toshiba rocks the house. It does not have firewire or serial ports which will make some people disappointed. This is not a gaming computer so if you are a gamer, please find a notebook with 64 - 128MB graphics memory, particularly Radeon or nVidia.
This computer is amazingly fast (thanks to the 2.66GHZ Pentium 4 processor). The LCD has such a clear image and the Toshiba desktop wallpaper looks amazingly bright. Whenever I play music on this notebook, the sound is so crisp and lovely it sounds better than my radio. I originally thought I would need external speakers. I can skip that idea when the computer has a volume adjustment control on the lid. Still bring your headphones. Another feature that is totally fabulous: You can play your audio CD in the notebook by using the CD playback controls on the lid with the PC turned off! I can play music even when the computer is not on. Totally cool!
I even called Toshiba's technical support on how to charge the battery (it is confusing at first but once you read the manual and online Acrobat files on the Toshiba website, it is easy to do.). The person stayed on the line to help me while I turned on the computer. He was knowledgable of the system. You can depend on Toshiba. As I was browsing through the desktop, Toshiba has a "Notebook Online Store* called the *Notebook Maximizer* where the entire system specifications including the serial and part numbers of your personal computer (!) are organized for the consumer. You don't have to look under the notebook and scramble with uncertainty find the serial number. You can order most popular items like extra memory or AC adapter through the program. Outrageously cool!
Overall, if you are a starving college student like me who needs portability of a notebook and features of a fast desktop for less than $1500, the Toshiba A25-S207 is the answer. If you MUST have a DVD Burner (they are not totally necessary for college students currently), turn to the cousin, A25-S307. Remember, college folks, get the academic software of Win XP PRO OS upgrade at your local Toshiba authorized dealer. Don't also forget your notebook bag/backpack to carry the adapter, etc.
I recommend this notebook. This is truly a hidden gem. As one of the finest and most reliable notebook companies in the same rank as IBM, you cannot go wrong with TOSHIBA.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1399
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Other
Processor speed: over 1000
Screen Size: 15 inches
RAM: More than 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 31-40
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LTOrivia
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Member: LTOrivia
Location: United States
Reviews written: 98
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
I like music, movies, reading, and surfing the net.
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